as and when IPL 2026 Mini-auction countdown begins, Delhi Capitals (DC) The franchise is set to make a strategic move to fill its remaining eight slots, five of which are for overseas players. With a war chest of Rs 21.8 crore, DC is one of the teams that has ample budget, allowing them to target high-impact players.
The Capitals, who are looking to strengthen their middle-order, fast bowling and all-round options, are hoping to pursue proven international and strong domestic talent in a mix. Here are details of some of the high-value players that Delhi Capitals could target in the auction in 2025, including a snapshot of their recent T20 performances.
5 possible players for Delhi Capitals in IPL 2026 mini auction
1) Steve Smith (foreign batsman)
- Role: top/middle order anchor and strategic leader
steve smith Provide immense value as a world-class accumulator and strategic voice. Given DC’s need for an experienced batsman who can anchor the innings and bat in the middle overs, Smith’s consistency and ability to adapt to different pitches makes him an ideal candidate.
His consistent anchoring (which is evident from his high 2025 average) will provide the much-needed stability to the top four, allowing the attacking players around him to play freely. Securing Smith would free up a vital overseas slot for a top-class performer.
2) Sarfaraz Khan (Indian batsman)
- Role: Explosive middle order Indian batsman
Sarfaraz Khan is a name that is expected to attract intense bidding, especially from teams like DC, who are looking for an impactful Indian middle-order batsman. His impressive domestic T20 record and ability to accelerate towards the end of the innings could solve DC’s occasional post-powerplay problems.
in 2025 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) His performance in 2017, which included a brilliant 100 off 47 balls, highlighted his match-winning ability and explosive strike rate, making him a high-potential domestic investment.
3) Gerald Coetzee (foreign fast bowler)
- Role: Head of Speed and Death Over Expert
Young South African fast bowler, Gerald Coetzeeis in high demand due to his genuine pace, aggression and efficiency in the death overs. DC is constantly on the lookout for a reliable overseas fast bowler.
Although his IPL 2025 journey was cut short due to injury, his ability to take important wickets in the middle (evidenced by figures of 2/32 in SA20) is his main value. His addition will significantly strengthen DC’s fast bowling battery and provide a valuable overseas bowling option.
4) Venkatesh Iyer (Indian all-rounder)
- Role: Batting all-rounder/finisher
Venkatesh Iyeran established Indian all-rounder, will be a high-priority target. His main value lies in his destructive left-handed batting in the middle order and the usefulness of his medium pace bowling. Iyer’s impact, especially the scores of 45 (29) and 60 (29) in IPL 2025, shows his game-changing ability. While his bowling has been under-utilized, his ability as a batting all-rounder provides DC with the much-needed balance and depth.
5) David Miller (Foreign Finisher)
- Role: Power Hitter and Finisher
david millerknown as the ‘Killer Miller’, remains one of the most reliable overseas finishers in the world. With DC often needing a big hitter to finish the innings, Miller’s experience and explosive strike rate will be invaluable. His average of 58.50 in the SA20 2025 highlights his exceptional finishing ability, often remaining unbeaten to lead his team to victory. His consistent match-winning performances in that difficult role make him a mathematical risk that a team is willing to take in order to maximize their scoring potential in their final overs.
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